Islands of Casco Bay history of Peaks Island

Today's island story is about Mr. Bennett's Aquarium Cove. During the turn-of-the century tourism on Peaks Island attracted many entrepreneurs including Mr. Bennett, who decided he wanted to build an aquarium in the small cove on the North end of the island. he built a concrete floor and erected walls forming a pool with a promenade. Water was pumped in from Hussey Sound and the pool became home to small fish, an eel and a seal. Before the first ticket could be sold to the public, the eel ate the fish and the seal ate the eel and then died. The kindhearted Mr. Bennett despite this setback, decided to open the pool to the public and allowed all to swim for free.

Chart metalworks show "The Islands of Casco Bay" at Hilltop Coffee Shop (99 Congress Street next to Rosemont Bakery) continues through the end of the month.